Electric cooperative crews are prepared to respond to any power outages that may occur from predicted winter weather.

Now is the time to prepare for inclement weather and a possible loss of power by creating an emergency preparedness kit and charging cell phones.

Watch our video for more tips about how to stay safe and get prepared.

Raleigh, N.C. (January 21, 2016, 11:30 a.m.) — North Carolina's electric cooperatives are on standby and are ready to restore power as quickly as possible if outages occur as a result of the forecasted winter weather.

Snow, sleet, freezing rain and icy conditions are possible in the coming days across western and central North Carolina, and the cooperatives are monitoring conditions closely. Freezing rain and heavy snow are the greatest concerns, as ice-laden branches that fall on, or make contact with, power lines are a major cause of outages during winter storms.

You can prepare for this winter weather event by making sure you have a way to stay warm if the power does go out. Dress in layers and make an emergency kit that includes the following items: extra blankets, flashlights, batteries, a battery-operated radio, first aid kit, manual can opener, canned food and bottled water. {Video tip here.}

Electric cooperative members are asked to call their cooperative directly if they experience a disruption in power. For phone numbers to report outages and the counties served by each co-op, refer to www.ncelectriccooperatives.com/co-ops/coops.htm. Now is the time to fully charge cell phones.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives serve more than 2.5 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties.